Our skin is prone to contracting all kinds of irritants and annoyances. You have eyebags, which somewhat resemble the shape of a handbag. Most people know that inadequate sleep or complete lack of sleep are contributors. Dark circles around the eyes may also interfere with your overall appearance and make you feel at least somewhat self-conscious. On top of everything else are warts. Warts can form on your finger and have the capacity to spread throughout your body. Then, there are pimples. Everyone despises pimples. Even though they normally go away, it takes awhile until they do. Here are some ways on how to get rid of pimples fast.

Don’t Pop!

It’s very important that you don’t pop your pimple(s). Doing so will release what’s built up inside the pimple and spread throughout its surrounding areas. As a result, more pimples may arise. Don’t even bother or think about touching the pimple(s).

Ice

Pimples generally cause swelling and inflammation. Applying a bag of ice cubes or an ice pack for about 10 seconds periodically throughout the day will reduce swelling and inflammation caused by the pimple(s). In time, they will disappear. Repeat as necessary.

Lemon Juice

This method’s best performed right before bed. Using fresh lemon juice and a q-tip, take the q-tip and dip one end into a container or bowl of fresh lemon juice. Dab the pimple(s) with the end containing the fresh lemon juice. Continue doing this until they’re completely dried up and gone.

Toothpaste

You can alternatively use white toothpaste. It fights pimples in the same manner lemon juice does. Take one end of a q-tip and squeeze a bit of white toothpaste onto it. Apply gently to any pimples and cover with a band-aid. Repeat process as needed.

Don’t fret when you look at yourself in the mirror and notice a pimple or two. With these vital tips at your side, they will be gone in no time! A couple of things which may help prevent or treat pimples are drinking 8 cups of water daily and having at least a fairly balanced diet. Water and good daily food consumption do wonders for practically everything.

Before discussing solutions to treat acne scars it’s important to know that there are different types of scars. Your treatment for acne scars will depend on the type of scars you have. It’s very common for people to have more than one type of acne scar so selecting the right treatment is crucial. You want to take your time and learn about the types of acne scars and the treatments available before making a decision.

Ice Pick Scars

Ice pick scars resemble deep or shallow pits or holes with jagged edges and steep sides. In some cases ice pick scarring is also called ‘depressed fibrotic scarring.’ Ice pick scars are most common on the cheeks.

Boxcar Scars

Boxcar scars are similar to chicken pox scars. Boxcar scars are oval shaped with sharp edges and vary in depth. These types of scars are usually found on the temple and cheeks.

Rolling scars

Rolling scars resemble rolling hills on your skin. It’s the result of damaged tissue beneath the skin. Because the rolling scars are a result of damaged tissue, resurfacing treatments will not work. You need to treat these types of scars with subcision. Rolling scars are common on the forehead and cheeks.

Hypertrophic scars

Hypertrophic scars are red small bumps that are found in the damaged area. These types of bumps are not only caused by acne but can be from other types of wounds. They also fade over time. A similar scar is keloid scar and these continue to grow making them a nuisance. These bumps can appear all over your body.

Acne Scar Treatments

You want to thoroughly do research so you are knowledgeable about the different types of scars and what types you have so you can find the treatment that will have the best results. Each treatment option has cons and pros and they will also improve some scar appearance while worsening others. Acne scar treatment can be expensive, so you need to make sure that you also chose a dermatologist who is not in it for the profit. Some truly care for their patients while others care more about lining their pockets.

Here are tips to pick the right dermatologist for you:

Before you select a dermatologist you should consult with a few of them. After receiving information with them, consult the internet with some research in order to determine which dermatologist is right for you. You want to be cautious around those who pressure you on the first visit to commit as well as push costly products and procedures onto you. It’s a good idea to search online the doctors and read reviews about them. If you don’t like what you read, keep looking.

When you visit with a dermatologist, request them to specifically tell you what choice of action in regards to treatment they would recommend for your type of scaring. Also have them explain why they decided to prescribe you that particular treatment. It may be a good idea to bring a notepad with or a voice recorder. You may receive opposing treatment plans from each of the doctors you visit so it’s best to do some research on your own before seeing a dermatologist so you can bring up these other ideas and figure why they didn’t suggest the treatments you found for your type of scaring.

Also during your initial visit, request to see pictures of their clients before and after the treatment. See if any of the people in the pictures have the same scarring as yours and notice how they look after the treatment. Also ask if you can contact any of the clients,

Find out if they have experience with the treatments they have suggested for you. Also it’s necessary to know how long they have been a dermatologist.

For some people as they age notice a return of the scars even though they were successfully removed initially while others say the complete opposite. Every person is different. What works for some won’t always work for others so you want to be realistic with any expectations from acne scar treatment. It’s very important to do all the research you can so you can be prepared for anything. It’s always best to contact people who had successful experiences with acne treatment so you can learn about what they did to rid themselves of the acne scars. The best way to find people is through online communities and forums, support groups and dermatologists.

Treatments:

Subcision

Subcision costs around $1000 per treatment. Subcision is a treatment where the top layer of skin is detached from deeper layers. It allows for blood to flow into the opening and raise the skin. This treatment is used to treat rolling and shallow scars. Subcision usually requires multiple treatments.

Punch Treatments

This treatment costs from $50 – $150 per treatment. There are three different types of punch treatments. 1 – Punch Replacement: This requires cutting out the scar and replace it with skin grafts. 2 – Punch Excision: Requires the scar to be cut out and then the skin around it is stretched in order to avoid a skin graft. 3 – Punch Elevation: This procedure is similar to subcision as it involves cutting the scar loose and letting it heal. The result of this often ends up with the skin being slightly raised.

Chemical peels

A chemical peel costs between $600-$800 dollars per treatment. This procedure consists of having acid applied to the skin then removed. It removes the top layer of your skin. A chemical peel will make your skin smoother and this procedure will help if you have mild scarring.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion costs from $1200 – $2000 per treatment. With dermabrasion the top layer of skin is removed. The skin is numbed then a rotating abrasive disk sands off your skin. It’s a painful process and requires some down time. Those who have tried dermabrasion said they noticed the scars returned, so it only provides short-term results.

Laser Resurfacing

Laser resurfacing costs $2,500 dollars per treatment. This procedure is similar to dermabrasion. It requires the top layer of skin to be removed and it also gets your skin smooth. Lasers are used insead of the abrasive disks. People have reported the same results as those who had the dermabrasion. The acne scars can return.

Acne scar creams

Proactiv acne cream – there are many balms and creams that cures everything from scarring to impotence, but we can’t help question whether they work or not. Many people who have used these products say they don’t work while others say they do, so here is a list of those success stories.

Creams that contain vitamin E and cocoa butter keep skin soft, healthy and elasticity. With regular use of these creams, scars will naturally vanish over time. Combining this with a healthy lifestyle and you’ll have great results.

Applying 3x solution of hydrofluoric acid to the scarred skin two times a day for two weeks also helps diminish acne scars. This can damage skin, so use with caution and under supervision of a dermatologist.

When it comes to maintaining healthy skin, blackhead removal is quite difficult. These blemishes are hard to remove. Despite the difficulty, there are some tips that people find helpful when it comes to preventing and getting rid of blackheads.

What are Blackheads?

Technically speaking, blackheads are referred to as comedones. These bumps look like little plugs. The confusion of white heads and black heads have to do with the fact that white heads can be present on both oily or dry skin while black heads are only present on oily skin.

What are Blackheads are caused by?

A clogged pore due to excess oil on your skin is the culprit to your blackhead problem. When your skins oil is unable to flow to the surface and is blocked by dead skin, causes the clog. When the oil is exposed to oxygen it causes it to turn black, resulting in blackheads.

The main cause of increased oil on your skin is due to hormones. With an increase in androgen, men will experience an increase of oil production on their skin which causes more oil build up in their pores. The increase of oil build up causes a greater appearance of blackheads.

Another factor that causes blackhead appearance on your skin is the use of make-up or skin care products. These products often mix with your natural oil on your skin and add to the build-up in your pores.

The formation of both black and white heads is increased due the combinations mentioned above.

How to prevent blackheads

When it comes to blackhead prevention, there are a few things you can do. Some options consist of medication while others involve cleansing.

When it comes to black head prevention you want to avoid using thick, greasy, and creamy products. By avoiding these types of products your chances of developing blackheads is lowered.

You want to use a water-soluble that is gentle acne cleanser.

You want to avoid using a bar of soap. The ingredients in a bar of soap clog pores. Bar of soap can also cause your skin to peel or flake off prematurely which also clogs your pores. If your skin is dry you will need to use a moisturizer cleanser. When using this type of product, the moisturizers in the cleanser can increase the amount of oil on your skin.

In order to eliminate the dead skin cells you want to exfoliate. Oil can freely flow through your pores when there are no skin cells to block it. When you exfoliate your skin, you are removing the dead cell buildup from within the pores. This build-up causes your pores to become clogged and misshapen. By using an exfoliate that contains BHA or Salicylic Acid at 1% or 2% it can penetrate the lining and clean out your pores. If for some reason you can’t use BHA’s, you can use another product that contains Alpha Hydroxy Acids. The only difference between AHA and BHA is that AHA doesn’t clean beyond the surface.

If you have excess oil you need to find a way to absorb it. An option you can try is a clay facial mask that doesn’t contain peppermint, mint or other irritating ingredients. The facial mask absorbs any oil that may clog the pores. If your skin is dry, using a facial mask to remove the oil is not necessary as the oil that causes the black heads are found within the pores. Using an oil-absorbing paper can decrease the oil found within the pores.

You may have to visit a dermatologist. Retinoids help regulate the shape of your pore allowing for normal flow of your skins oil. Retinoids are found in prescriptions such as Tazorac, Renova, Differin, Retin-A, and Avita.

There are other medications you can take such as a low-dose birth control or hormone blockers.

How to remove blackheads

The most popular method of removing a black head is by simply squeezing them. Make sure to do it gently. By removing the contents of your pores helps relieve the pressure that is causing the damage. It’s impossible to ignore a blemish so here are tips for gentle, healthy blackhead removal.

1. With a clean towel, dry your face. You can use a mild scrub to remove dead cells from your skin while exposing the blackheads.

2. Make sure to pat your face dry.

3. For 10 – 15 minutes place a warm compress on your skin in order to soften the blackhead. This makes it easier to remove it.

4. Dry your face again by patting it dry.

5. Make sure to protect your skin by placing tissue on the tips of your fingers in order to avoid them slipping as it would cause damage to your skin.

6. When you found a blackhead you want to remove, apply gently even pressure to both sides of the blackhead. Press down around the blemish. You want to apply pressure from beneath the blackhead.

If you are unsuccessful after a couple attempts then don’t continue as you can damage the skin by either scarring or bruising the skin.

The use of pore strips is not recommended

By reading the warnings on the box of pore strips you’ll be told to not use them on irritated, swollen or sunburned skin, not on dry skin or any other area of your body other than the nose. The warning also states that you should add water to the strip it if it’s too difficult to remove.

Pore strips only help temporarily. They remove some healthy skin along with superficial blackheads.

Irritation and further breakouts are a result of the repeated use of pore strips.

The pore strips contain an adhesive that can injure the skin by tearing it. Your odds of having your skin damaged is increased by the use of any medications mentioned earlier in the article or if you have thin skin.

Blackhead extractors and vacuum blackhead removers are not recommended just like the pore strips. Clog pores caused by excessive oil production causes blackheads so the most effective way to rid you of blackheads is to control the oil by using mild cleansers and balancing hormones.

Though there is never a good time for a pimple, or zit if you prefer, to make its ugly appearance, they seem to have an uncanny way of showing up at the worst time, just in time for an important event. This is bad enough when you’re a teen, but even worse once you’re an adult. In either case you want to get rid of them as quickly as possible. Not only can pimples hurt your self-confidence, in very bad cases it can even lead to feelings of anxiety or worse.

Often, people differentiate between what we call a pimple and the disease called acne, but in fact there isn’t one. Pimple is simply the common word used to describe the medical condition of acne.

Pimples are caused when some skin irritation leads to clogged pores. Oil glands just beneath the skin, which are connected to the skin follicles, discharge oil for the purpose of clearing away dead skin cells from the follicle. Unfortunately the hair that grows out of the follicle can often obstruct the path of the ol and skin cell residue. When this happens, the oil can’t exit the follicle and a pimple forms.

The type of pimple that forms varies from person to person. If you are in the lucky group, the pimple appears as simply a small whitehead or blackhead. These are usually easily controlled. If you’re not in the lucky group, you likely have overly active oil glands that discharge too much oil that leads to the buildup of bacteria called “propionibacterium.” Though the bacteria are not necessarily dangerous, it can quickly lead to skin inflammation and irritation. Also, some people are more sensitive to the bacteria than others.

Once the bacteria form a hold and set up shop on their victim’s face, the area becomes inflamed and red. Some people develop spots or even more pimples. In the most extreme cases, painful cysts can develop below the surface of the skin. This can lead to an infection that can spread to adjacent areas. This widespread inflammation is what is generally called acne.

In this article, we’ll discuss some measures you can take to relieve pimples that arise occasionally. These are the type that aren’t too serious and do not require medication for treatment. By following the procedures outlined in this article you can avoid needing to visit a dermatologist for treatment and still successfully treat the problem in time for the big event.

Recognizing When the Pimple Is Ready for Treatment

People who often treat pimple by squeezing them can cause themselves to suffer increased skin infection, which can in some serious cases cause cysts to for. This is due to the infected material being forced deep into the follicle. In very bad cases, this can lead to permanent scarring. By waiting until the pimple matures, this can usually be avoided. Once you see the yellow or whitish puss beginning to break the surface, this is your indication that it’s time to treat the pimple. Not only is this safer, but it’s also less painful. A win-win situation.

Wash Hands

Before performing any procedure dealing with open skin, you should thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water. This will help prevent you from spreading additional germs to the area and likely increasing the level of infection. You also need to clean you face with gentle soap and warm water. As an additional safely measure, it’s also a good idea to cleanse your hands with the alcohol.

Self-Treatment Procedure

If possible, you should not use your bare fingers to treat a pimple. This can lead to contamination and an increased infection. The best method is to gather some simple supplies and use them to perform a simple surgery. You’ll need some alcohol, sterile bandage, needle and clean warm water. Ensure the needle is sterile by thoroughly cleansing it with the alcohol

Be Gentle

Lancing the pimple requires you to only gently prick it. There’s no need to inject yourself with the needle. Squeezing the pimply gently by applying pressure on each side with your fingers will also help. Once you have inserted the needle, this will also help expel the puss from the pore. Continue in this manner until puss stops coming from the pore. Once you see a small drop of blood appear, the pimple has been effectively cleansed of puss.

Final Cleaning

When the pimple is free of puss, clean the area again with a sterile bandage soaked with alcohol. You might feel a small sting, which indicated that the alcohol has entered the poor, which is what you want. This helps ensure that the freshly treated pimple does not become re-infected. As a final step, cover the area with a sterile bandage to prevent new bacteria from entering the pore. If you need to attend an event soon afterwards and don’t want to have a bandage on your face, you can apply a coat of anti-bacterial concealer.

Keep an Eye Out for

These days there are medications available without prescription that can help effectively treat pimples quickly. Their purpose is to quicken the rate at which the pimple matures so you can treat it. An example is Pan-Oxyl, which is a topical ointment. It’s active ingredient is benzoyl peroxide, which repels the bacteria. Astringents, such as those that contain tea oil can also help mature the pimple. Tea oil has the added benefit of being a natural anti-bacterial agent. Some people will have better luck with these products than others depending on their skin and how it reacts. The only way to find out which treatment will work for you is to experiment with the different products available until you find one that works for your skin.

If you have no luck with medications, you can try a device called the “Zeno.” It is a device with a metal tip that produces heat. You apply this to the pimple which helps cause the puss to rise to the surface and in some cases actually pop, according to the manufacturer. Unfortunately these devices can cost $200 or more.

Non-Facial Pimples

Skin isn’t just on your face and neither are pimples. Pimples are actually common in any location that has active oil production. The most common areas are the chest, back and arms, but they can also form is less convenient areas such as the underarms, buttocks and even the penis. Fortunately penile pimples are not very common but they do exist. If you notice pimples forming on your penis, it’s recommended that you get tested for sexually transmitted disease since one of the signs of herpes is pimples. If you’re lucky, it will simply be an allergic reaction caused by some product or just the result of bad hygiene. In any case, any genital pimples should be checked by a doctor to ensure they don’t represent anything serious.